Filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms.



No. 789,473. PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

' E. s. WOOD.

FILLING EXHAUSTION INDIGATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.21,1904.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1 PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

E. S. WOOD. FILLING EXHAUSTION INDIOATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.21,1904.

3 SKIRTS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED MAY 9, 1905. E. S. WOOD.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.21,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

FILLING EXHAUSTION INDIUATING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

ivimnn Statics Patented May 9, 1905.

vrt rvir rricie.

EVERETT S. \VOOl), OF HOPEDALE, hlASSACHUSE'I"TS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COMPANY, OF HOPEDALE, lvlASSr-iGllUSEPlTS, A CORPO- RATION OF MAI NE.

FILLING-EXHAUSTIION-INDlCATlNG MECHANlSWl FOR LOOMS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,473, dated May 9, 1905.

Application filed October 21,1904. Serial No, 229,377.

To all 1071,0111, H In/my concern:

Be it known that I, Ev'mnn'r'r S. W'oon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hopedale, county of \Vorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an lmprovenientin Filli ng-Exhaustion-l ndicating Mechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates more particularly to looms of the type wherein the running filling is autolnatically replenishedwithout stopping the loom; and it has for its objcctthe produc tion of novel and improved means for detecting and indicating the substantial exhaustion or weaving off of the filling in the running shuttle and thereupon to cause a change int-he operation of the loom. Such change may be either the stoppage automatically of the loom or the automatic replenishment of the running filling without loom stoppage.

In my present invention the gradual diminution of the filling in the running shuttle is detected by a mechanical feeler or (Zletecting device actuated by a vibrating member of the loom and adapted when the running filling is exhausted to a predetermined extent to stop the loom -as, for instance, through the usual shipper mechanisin or to cause the operation ofan automatic filling-replenishing mechanism, which latter may be of any suitable character" -such,for example, as is shown in United States Patent No. 52$),M0 and later patents.

l have so constructed the feeler and cooperating parts that the operation thereof is made more certain and positive at the critical point---viz., when the denudation of filling in the shuttle has reached the desired point with the result that when the condition of the filling calls for a change in the operation of the loom such change will be certainly effected, and prior to such time there will be no possibility of change. Such premature action of filling-exhaustion-imlicating mechanism not only increases unduly filling waste, but it untions of the loom. On the other hand, a de lay in the change of operation of the loom when called for may result in complete exhaustion 0f the running filling and more or less imperfection in the cloth being woven.

To those familiar with the practical operation of various filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanisms itis well known that both premature and delayed action of such mechanism constitute two serious faults and are of more frequent occurrence than is desirable. Herein l have largely overcome them by the construction to be described l'lereinafter.

lnasmuch as the fillingin the running shuttle is impinged upon by the feeler at every other pick, it is manifest that the lighter the blow the less will be the wearing action upon the feeler and likewise the less will be the tendency to spring the filling-carrier or bobbin that is, to move it from its proper position in the shuttle.

The construction embodying my present in vention is such that at the instant of feeling or detecting the impact of the feeler upon the yarn is verylight, reducing to aminimum the wearing action on the yarn.

These and other novel and inmortant features of my invention will be fully described in the subjoined specification and particularly pointed out in the claims appended thereto.

Figure l is a top or plan view of a portion of the left-hand side of a loom with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto, the running shuttle being shown in position to enable the feeler to cooperate with the filling on the next forward beat of the lay. Fig. 2 is a left-hand end elevation of the parts of the loom illustrated in Fig. l and also showing a portion of the filling-replenishing mechanism at the opposite side of the loom. Fig. 3 is a view of the filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism looking for\ ard from the back of the loom, a portion of the :mparatus being shown in section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. at is an enlarged sectional detail on the line a 4:, Fig. 1, looking to the right, but showing the feeler mechanism as acting, the exhausneccssarily causes the operation of other por i tion of the filling in the running shuttle having nearly reached the predetermined point. Fig. 5 is a View of the same parts at the instant the feeler has acted, the predetermined exhaustion of lillinghaving been reached; but the feeler mechanism is shown in elevation and observed from the inner side thereof. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the end of the transmitter which cooperates directly with the feeler device viewed from the back of the loom. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, on the line '7 7, Fig. 6, of the means for preventing any improper cooperation of the feeler and the transmitter, to be hereinafter referred to. Fig. 8 is a detail of the parts to the right of the line 8 8, Fig. 1, looking toward the right, showing the latch and its actuator. Fig. 9 is a left-hand side elevation of a modified form of feeler mechanism, wherein means are provided to release the feeler from the control of its spring prior to the feeling action. Fig. 10 is a top or plan view of the feeler. Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the feeler and its supportingstand, the latter being broken out. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional detail on the line 12 12, Fig. 11, looking toward the left; and Fig. 13 is a perspective detail of the connection between the feeler and its spring to be referred to and through which the feeler is at times released from spring control.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the lay A", breast-beam A on which is mounted the filling-feeder F (see Fig. 2) to receive the fillingcarriers or bobbins b, the transferrer f" to convey the bobbins one by one to the shuttle S, and the operating or controlling rock-shaft CZ to effect a replenishment of filling in the running-shuttle when the rock-shaft is turned in the direction of arrow 200, Fig. 2, may be and are all substantially as in United States Patent No. 529,910. The upturned arm (Z fast on said rock-shaft, has pivoted upon it a rearwardly-extended latch which crosses the breast-beam and at times cooperates with a vibrating actuator, herein shown as the weft-hammer \V of the loom. Referring to Fig. 8, the weft-hammer has an attached head W provided with a recess w and when the rear end of the latch is moved into the path of the recessed head the latch enters the recess and the forward movement of the wefthammer pushes the latch forward, swinging outward the arm (Z and turning the rock-shaft (1 to effect the actuation of the replenishing mechanism in well-known manner.

The vibrating actuator, the latch, the rockshaft, and connections between them constitute controlling means for the loom, and in the present instance such controlling means operate primarily to govern the time of operation of the replenishing mechanism. Such controlling means is caused to operate by filling-exhaustion-indicating means embodying various novel features of construction and operation, and such means will be described in detail.

The shuttle S of the automatically-selfthreading type has an opening 1 in its side wall, Figs. 1 and 5, to register with an aperture 2 in the front wall 3 of the sh Little-box B (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) when the shuttle is boxed therein. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the notched holding-plate 1 for the shipper S is dropped down at its outer end at 5, and a bracket 6 is bolted thereto, so that it can be vertically adjusted, as shown in Fig. 2, the top 7 of the bracket being inclined for a purpose to be described. A bOXlllKB stand consisting of upper and lower members 8 and 9 (see Fig. 12) is bolted together at 10, Fig. 1, and secured to the inclined top 7 of the bracket by set-screws 11. The overlapped portions of the members of the stand are longitudinally slotted at 12 to receive the screws 11, so that the stand can be adjusted fore and aft with relation to the breast-beam. This stand is arranged to yieldingly sustain the filling-feeler device, and the inclination given to the stand is such as to very closely coincide with the very flat path of movement of the lay as it swings back and forth, thereby causing the pressure upon the feeler due to impingement upon the lilling in the shuttle to act directly along the path of movement of the feeler without any bending or twisting tendency.

The filling-feeler proper is herein shown as an elongated fiat plate 13, made of metal and having a laterally-enlarged head 14 and a longitudinal central opening or slot 15, extending from the head to a rectangular enlargement 16, a preferably cylindrical shank or prolongation 17 extending forward from the enlargement, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 11. The stand is chambered, as at 18, Fig. a, to permit the enlargement 16 to slide freely therein, and the ends of the parts constituting the stand are apertured at 19 and 20 to receive the shank and the flat body portion, respectively, of the feeler, the aperture 20 being made quite large, as shown in Fig. 1. A spiral spring .9 is coiled around the shank of the feeler between the enlargement 16 and the outer end of the stand, the spring being only strong enough to project the feeler into the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, at, and 5 in readiness to impinge upon the filling in the shuttle as the lay heats up. This impingement occurs before the lay reaches front center, so that as the forward beat is completed the feeler will be moved forward bodily in opposition to the action of the spring, the en largement 16 preventing any turning of the feeler and serving to guide it in its longitudinal movements.

By the construction shown the member 13 of the feeler device is yieldingly sustained at right angles to the breast-beam, and the feelerreams head 14 is adapted to enter the opening 2 in the box-wall on each forward beat of the lay, and on the beats when the shuttle is in the box B the head passes through the aperture 1. in the shuttle-wall and impinges upon the filling on the filling-carrier 1/ within the shuttle. Until the filling is substantially exhaust ed the feeler will be intermittingly moved outward by impingement upon the filling, the amplitude of such [illinginduced movement gradually decreasing as the weaving off of the yarn decreases the diameter of the yarn mass on the filling-carrier.

The feeler is shown as having an attached foot 21 located below it and extended forward toward the enlargement 16, its front end having a beveled or knife edge 22, to be again referred to. Upon the feeler member 13 of the filling-feelii'ig device is mounted a bent or lever-like member 23 24: and fulcrumed within the slot 15 on a pin 25, the longer arm or extension 21 projecting within the slot nearly to the enlargement 16, so that it passes loosely through the opening 20 in the stand and can move up and down therein. The short arm 23 is upturned above the feeler back of its head and has a threaded hole to receive the threaded shank 26 of a hunter 27, having a rounded or convex face directed toward the back of the loom, the hunter being held in adjusted position by a check-nut 28 on the shank.

it will be manifest that the leverlike device or member 23 24 is movable bodily with the feeler, and it also has a rocking movement relatively thereto on the pivot 25, movement of the hunter toward the front of the loom depressing the extension 24;. As the lay beats up the impingement of the feeler-head upon the filling will move the feeler forward on alternate beats and before the side wall of the shuttle can impinge upon the hunter 27, so that there will be no relative movement of the connected members .13 and 23 2% until the substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle permits the feeler-head to enter the shuttle a predetermined distance. The diminution of the yarn mass on the filling-carrier will then be sufficient to permit 'impingel'nent of the hunter upon the advancing shuttle-wall before the feeler-head engages the filling, and the lever-like device 23 2 1 will be rocked into the position shown in Fig. 5 before the movement of the feeler 13 begins. The lever-like device is of light weight compared to the feeler proper, and its inertia readily and quickly overcome, as well as the resistance of a light spring which acts to normally maintain the said device quiescent with relation to i the member 13, on which it is mounted. Such rocking of the lever-like device or member operates to cause the subsequent movement of the feeler member to effect the actuation of the controlling means hereinbefore referred to in a manner now to be explained.

A transmitter, shown as a lever 29 30, fulcrumed on a stub 30 held in an car 31 on the plate 1, operatively connects the latch (Z and the filling-feeling device, the fulcrum-stud 30 being substantially parallel to the path of movement of the feeler. The arm 29 extends beneath the latch (Z as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3, and when at rest is held in proper position by a lug 32, which bears on the breastbeam, (see Fig. 3,) the opposite arm 30 of the transmitter being turned down and rearwardly and extended beneath and across the feeler member 13. A seat 32 is made in the end of the arm 30 for a light coiled spring s", the free upper end thereof bearing against the under side of a dog 33, fulerumed at 34, on the arm and limited .in its upward movement by a stop on said arm 30. Beneath the dog said arm is recessed at 36 to provide under normal conditions a free and clear passage for the feeler-foot 21 as the feeler member 13 reciprocates, and the rear edge of the dog is beveled at 37, the bevel being opposed to that of the knife-edge 22 of the foot, the bevel 37 forming a second knife-edge. The extension 24: of the lever-like member 23 24 rests upon and slides back and forth over the top of the dog, the s 'iring s thus acting through the dog to elevate the extension and maintain the device 23 24: quiescent with relation to the filling-feeler. The dog is shown as a flat piece of metal bent between its ends, so that the major portion thereof projects over the extremity of the arm 30 of the transmitter, the weight of the latter and the latch (i" being so disposed that they will normally maintain the position shown in Fig. 3, with the latch in inoperative position. At such time the extension 2% slides over the dog 33 and the feeler-foot 21 reeiprocates beneath it, and this continues until the predetermined exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle causes the side wall of the latter to engage the hunter 27 and rock the lever-like device, as shown in 5, depressing its extension 21 and therethrough moving the dog down far enough to bring the beveled edges 22 and 37 into engagement as the feeler-foot is moving forward. As the feeler foot completes such movement its beveled edge slides over the edge 37 of the dog, depressing the latter onto the top of the spring-seat 32 and then depressing the adjacent end of the arm 30, tilting the transmitter on its fulcrum 31) and elevating its arm 29. Thereby the latch is moved to bring its rear end into engagement with the recessed head of the weft-hammer \V, and on the forward movement of the latter the controlling means is operated, as has been described.

lt will be manifest that the lever-like device 23 2 1 is called upon to overcome only the resistance of the light spring a and that the tilting of the transmitter is effected by the action of the feeler-foot 21, so that the lever-like device is quickly responsive to im- TCO pingement upon the sh Little-wall. The bunter 27 is, as a matter of fact, moved away from the shuttle as the feeler-foot acts upon the dog to tilt the transmitter, so that the power is transmitted wholly extraneous to the lever like device. Depression of the dog far enough to bring the lower corner of the edge 37 below the upper corner of the acting edge 22 of the feeler foot insures the full and proper cooperation of said parts, and once such relation is established between the beveled edges the dog and foot are in a manner locked together and must operate as described after the movement of the lay causes the edges to pass each other. No jarring or loose movement of the lay can disengage them until the desired operation is effected. On the other hand, there can be no premature operation of the controlling means, for jar of the shipper when released cannot move the dog into operative position, nor can such move ment be effected except at the proper time by shuttle-induced action of the lever-like device on the feeler.

As the function of the feeler-spring" s is only to reposition the feeler after forward movement thereof, a very soft or light spring can be employed, obviating any tendency to damage the yarn by impingement thereon of the feeler-head let. In fact, the feeler may be released from spring control entirely at the time of its impingement upon the filling, as will be described hereinafter.

The adjustability of the bunter 27 is of importance, as thereby the extent of filling exhaustion can be regulated and controlled with great accuracy with a minimum amount of filling waste. The nearer the bunter is. set toward the shuttle the sooner will the shuttle impinge upon it, with a less amount of filling exhaustion, and vice versa. The bunter is by its adjustability adapted to be readily set for operation with fillingcarriers of different diameters. By making the face of the hunter rounded or convex it always presents a like surface to the shuttle irrespective of adjustment.

It might so happen that the two corners of the knife-edges 22 and 37 might engage so as to push the dog forward and break some of the parts, and to prevent this I have formed a releasingcam 38 on the arm 30 of the transmitter adjacent the front edge of the dog. (See Fig. 7.) Should the dog be pushed forward by the feeler-foot, it would engage the cam 38 and ride up thereon far enough to cause disengagement of the dog and foot, thus preventing breakage of parts. The top of the spring-seat 32 serves as a stop for the dog when depressed against its spring, and thereafter the dog and transmitter move in unison, so that the depression of the arm 30 to tilt the transmitter is positive. The feeler acts through the dog to tilt the transmitter, as will be manifest, and as soon as the feeler is projected by the action of its spring when the lay swings back the various parts reset themselves in their normal relative positions.

Having reference now to Figs. 9 to 13, the stand 8 9 is made with longitudinal slots &0 a1 in its top and bottom to allow the easy passage therethrough of an upright plate 42, its upper end projecting above the stand, while a lateral extension &3, Figs. 12 and 13, rests and slides upon the bottom of the stand. An ear M projects from the plate 42 at right angles to the extension 43 and has a hole 15 to loosely receive the shank 17 of the feeler, the ear being interposed between the enlargement 16 and the adjacent end of the feelerspring, as shown in Fig. 11. If the plate a2 be pushed toward the front of the loom, the feeler spring will be compressed and the feeler released from its control, as will be manifest. To effect this release automatically, a bent arm 46 is shown in Fig. 9, as secured to the lay, the forward end of the arm being so positioned that as the lay beats up said arm will engage the rear upright edge of plate a2 just about as the feeler-head enters the opening in the shuttle. As the lay completes its forward movement the plate is pushed forward, compressing the spring through the ear 4%, and the impact of the feeler-head on the filling is absolutely free from spring action, the blow struck upon the filling being very light. hen the lay retreats, the plate &2 moves back as the spring expands, and the fecler is then moved in unison with the plate as soon as the ear M and enlargement 16 contact with each other. In

Fig. 10 the arm et6 is shown in dotted lines,

it being arranged diagonally to avoid interference with the feeler devices.

The filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism herein shown and described is manifestly adapted to control either a filling-replenishing mechanism or a loom-stopping mechanism, either form of mechanism constituting means to control the operation of the loom, and by the phrase filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism 1 mean a device to govern the operation of such controlling means for a' loom.

l' hen the loom stops, the jar caused by the shipper as it hits the end of the slot in the holding-plate sometimes tends to throw up the rear end of the latch cl into the path of its actuator, when such cooperation should not occur. To prevent this, I have provided the latch with a depending and rearwardlyextended hook or downhold a9, (see Figs. 3 and 8,) the hook normally extending beneath the arm 29 of the transmitter, so that accidental lifting tendency of the latch is overcome by the hook catching under the arm 29, the inertia of the latter acting to dissipate the lifting-pull of the latch. The hook or downhold has its upper face shaped to readily pass beneath the arm 29 when the latch returns to normal position after it has been operated by engagement with its actuator.

The inclined position oi the teeler hereinbet'ore referred to is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4t, and 5, and the inclination is at such an angle that the path of movement of the filling in the shuttle, due to the beat of the lay, at the instant of impingement upon the t'eeler passes through or as close as possible to the center of gravity of the member pivotally mounted on the feeler. Consequently any tendency to rock said member by impact of the feeler upon the filling is obviated or reduced to such a minimum that it is of no moment. Should momentum-induced rocking be permitted, the movement would tend to cause a pren'iature operation of the replenishing mechanism, for if its forward end be thrown downward the spring x will be compressed with the consequent operation of the replenishing mechanism. It the member should be thrown upward, it would tend to compress the spring by its rebound with a like result.

I'Iaving fully described my invention, what .I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a lilling-exhaustioirindicating mech anism for looms, the con'1l )ination, with a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon and be moved by means in the shuttle. and a member movably mounted on the leeler, of means to operate said member when the 'teeler passes a predetermined distance into the shuttle, and mechanism the actuation whereof is caused by such operation of said member, said mechanism including a transmitter which is rocked on a fulcrum parallel to the feeler when the member mounted thereon is operated, and a fulcrum for said transmitter. i

2. In filling-exhaustion-indicatingmechanism t'or looms, in combination, a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon and be moved by means within the shuttle, a member pivotally mounted on the teeler and adapted to be rocked when the 'leeler passes a predetermined distance into the sh uttle. a transmitter, and a relatively movable dog carried thereby moved by or through rocking movement of said member into co ")peration with the 't'eeler, to thereby cause the operation of the transmitter.

3. In a loom. means to control its operation, including a transmitter having a dog movably mounted upon it, combined with a member adapted to be rocked by the in'ipingement thereon of the shuttle. and a teeler to intermittingly engage the lilling in the shuttle and prevent rocking of said member until exhaustion of the filling to a predetermined extent, rocking oi the said member causing the dog and feeler to cooperate and thereby act through the transmitter to elfect the operation of the controlling means for the loom.

4-. In a loom provided with lilliiig-replenishing mechanism, and controlling means therefor, incl uding a transmitter havi mg a movable dog mounted thereon, in combination, a device adapted to be moved by the shuttleand operatively position said dog, and a teeler to prevent such movement of said device until the filling in the shuttle isexhausted to a predetermined extent, the leeler cooperating with the dog when operativel y positioned and acting through the transmitter to efiect actuation of said controlling means.

In a filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms, a 'teeler adapted to intermittingly engage and be moved by the filling in the shuttle, a member mounted to rock on the iteeler by impil'igement on the shuttle when the filling therein is substantially exhausted, a tilting transmitter, a yieldingly-acting dog thereon to maintain the rocking member in normal position with relation to the teeler, and a foot on the feeler to act through the dog and tilt the transmitter when said dog is depressed by rocking movement of the member carried by the feeler, combined with mechanism operated by tilting ol the transmitter.

6. In a filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism t'orlooms, two connected and relatively movable members one of which is moved by im 'iingen'ient upon the filling within the shuttle and the other relatively to the first-named member by inniiingement upon the shuttle when the filling is exhausted to a predetermined extent, mechanism the operation of which is effected through the movement of said shuttle-actuated member, and a transmitter intermediate such mechanism and said connected members, having a yielding dog moved into position to be engaged by the filling-impinged membcr to operate the transmitter when the shuttle-im pinged member is actuated first.

7. In a loom provided with lillingreplenishing mechanisi'n, and means to control the operation thereof, including a tiltable transmitter having a spring-controlled dog mounted thereon, in combiimtiou, a yieldingly-sustained t'eeler adapted to intermittingly engage and be moved longitudinally by the filling in the shuttle, a foot on the leeler having a beveled acting edge, and a lever-like device pivotally mounted on the teeler and adapted to be rocked by impingement on the shuttle when the filling therein is substantially exhausted, one arm of said device resting upon and normally sliding across the dog, rocking of said device depressing the dog into the path of the bevel-edged foot, to be engaged thereby and depress the adjacent end ol and tilt the transmitter through longitudinal movement of the li'eeler, such tilting of the transmitter etl'ecting the actuation of said controlling means.

8. In a loom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, and means to control the operation. thereof, including a tiltable transmitter having a spring-controlled dog mounted thereon, in combination, a feeler adapted to intermittingl y engage and be moved in one direction by the filling in the shuttle, a spring to oppositely move the feeler, a foot on the latter, normally movable beneath the springcontrolled dog,and a member pivotally mounted on the feeler and having one end thereof extended above and held elevated by the dog, the other end of said member engaging the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, to thereby rock such member and depress the dog into the path of the feeler-t'oot, to effect thereby tilting of the transmitter when the teeler is moved in opposition to its spring.

9. In a loom provided with filling-replenisl1- ing mechanism, controlling means therefor, including a latch, and a vibrating actuator, combined with a teeler device comprising two relatively movable members one of which is moved intermittingly by the filling in the shuttle until substantial exhaustion of such filling, the other member then being adapted to first engage and be moved by the shuttle, a tilting transmitter cooperating at one end with the latch, a yieldingly-sustained dog at the other end of the transmitter, said dog cooperating with the shuttle engaging member of the feeler device and normally lying out of cooperative position relatively to the other member, rocking of the shuttle engaging member moving the dog into position to cooperate with the other member to tilt the transmitter, the latch being moved into the path of its actuator by tilting of said transmitter.

10. In a loom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, controlling means therefor, including a latch and a vibrating actuator, combined with a yieldingly-sustained feeler to intermittingly engage and be moved by the filling in the shuttle, a device pivotally mounted on the feeler, an adjustable bunter on said device, having a rounded head to be engaged by the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, to rock said device prior to movement of the feeler, a foot fixedly mounted on the feeler and having a beveled acting edge, a transmitter mounted to rock on a fulcrum substantially parallel to the feeler and extended at one end beneath the latch, and a spring-controlled dog mounted on the other end of the transmitter and in sliding engagement with the sh uttleengaging device, rocking of the latter by engagement with the shuttle depressing the dog to permit the foot to pass thereover and push down the adjacent end of the transmitter, to thereby lift the latch into position to cooperate with the vibrating actuator.

11. In filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms, a feeler having a longitudinal slot therein and a rigidly-attached foot having a beveled acting edge, said feeler being adapted to intermittingly impinge upon and be moved by the filling in the shuttle, a lever-like device pivoted on the teeler and having an elongated arm movable through the slot, and an adjustable bunter on the other, upturned arm of said device, adapted to impinge upon the shuttle upon substantial exhaustion of the filling therein, to rock said device and depress its elongated arm, combined with a tilting transmitter havinga yieldingly-sustained dog mounted thereon and extended beneath said elongated arm of the lever-like device and above the foot on the feeler, and mechanism operated by tilting of the transmitter,shuttle-induced movement of the lever-like device depressing the dog to permit the foot to ride up and over the same to tilt the transmitter as the feeler is moved by impingement upon the filling in the shuttle.

12. In a loom, means to control its operation, said means including a transmitter and a movable dog mounted on one end thereof, combined with a feeler adapted to intermit tingly engage and be moved by the filling in the shuttle, a foot mounted on the feeler to act through the dog and move the transmitter, and means to automatically move the dog into position to be engaged by the foot when the filling in the shuttle is exhausted to a predetermined extent.

13. A mechanical filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism, comprising a yielding feeler having an attached foot, a lever carried by said feeler and having an extension, and a transmitter having a springcontrolled dog extend ed beneath the extension, to normally retain said lever quiescent relatively to the feeler, movement of the lever relatively to said teeler positioning the dog in the path of the feeler-foot, to move the transmitter.

14. Amechanical filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism, comprising a feeler adapted to be impinged upon by means in the shuttle, a rigidly-attached foot, a lever mounted on the feeler and adapted to be moved relatively thereto when the filling in the shuttle has been exhausted to a predetermined extent, mechanism, including a movable transmitter, to be actuated by movement of the said lever relatively to the feeler, and a yielding dog on said transmitter cooperating with and maintaining the lever quiescent while a predetermined amount of filling remains in the shuttle, movement of the lever relatively to the feeler causing the latter to act through said dog and thereby actuate the transmitter.

15. Amechanical filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism, comprising a yieldingly-sustained ieeler adapted to intermittingly im' pinge upon the filling in the shuttle, afoot rigidly attached to the feeler and having a beveled acting edge, a lever pivotally mounted on the teeler and having an extension, and mechanism actuated by or through rocking movement of the lever when the filling in the shuttle is exhausted to a predetermined extent, said reams mechanism including a tiltable member having a dog thereon, and a spring to nori'nally lift the dog against said lever extension and above the path of the feeler-foot, said dog having a beveled edge to cooperate with the acting edge of the foot when the rocking of the lever depresses the foot, such coimeration tilting said dog-carrying member and ellecting the operation of the connected mechanism.

16. In a loom, means to control the opera tion thereof, including a transmitting member, combined with a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon the filling in the shuttle and be moved in one direction, a spring to move said feeler oppositely, a lever device mounted on the feeler and movable relatively thereto when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted, means governed by such movement of the lever device to cause the feeler to operate the transmitting member, and means to release the feeler from the control of its spring prior to impingement of said feeler on the filling in the shuttle.

17. in a loon'nmeans to control its operation, said means including a transmitter, and a movable dog mounted on one end thereof, combined with a feeler adapted to intermittingly engage and be moved by the filling in the shuttle, a foot mounted on the feeler to act through the dog and move the transmitter, said dog and foot having oppositely-beveled cooperating portions, means to automatically move the dog into position to permit the foot to wipe over and depress it and. thereby move the transmitter when the filling in the shuttle is ex hausted to a predetermii'ied extent, and means to automatically disengage the dog and foot upon improper cooperation thereof.

18. A filling-exhaustion-indicatingmechanism for looms, comprising a feeler a portion of which is adapted to pass through an aperture in the shuttle and be impinged upon by means therein and thereby caused to recede; devices operatively connected with said feeler adapted to be impinged upon and thereby operated only when the said feeler passes a certain predetern'iincd distance into the shuttle; a spring to project and normally control the feeler, means to release the latter from such control prior to its recession due to means in the shuttle; and mechanism adapted to be operated by said devices operatively connected with said feeler.

19. In a loom, means to control the operation thereof, combined with a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon the filling in the shuttle and be moved in one direction, a spring to move said feeler oppositely, a lever device mounted on and movable relatively to the feeler when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted, means governed by such movement of the lever to effect the operation of the controlling means, and means to release the feeler from the control of its spring prior to impingement upon the filling in the shuttle.

20. In a loom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, controlling means therefor, including a latch, and a vibrating actuator, combined with feeler means to intermittingly engage and be moved by filling in the shuttle until substantial exhaustion of such filling, a transmitter extended at one end beneath and to lift thelatch into operative position, a l100l(- like downhold on the latch, to extend under the transmitter and prevent accidental lifting of the latch, and operative connections between the opposite end of the transmitter and said feeler means, to cause movement of the transmitter when the shuttle-filling is sub stantially exhausted.

21. Iln filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms, a feeler adapted to intermit tingly impinge upon and be moved by filling in the shuttle, a member pivotally mounted on the feeler, mechanism put into operation by rocking of said member to control the action of the loom, and a support in which the feeler slides, holding the latterat such an angle with relation to the path of the impinging filling as to prevent momentunrinduced rocking of the pivoted member and resulting improper operation of the loom controlling mechanism.

22. in a loom, means to indicate filling eX- haustion and adapted to cause the operation of filling-replenishing mechanism, and means to prevent said indicating means from operating after the lay has passed a given point in its path of movement.

23. In filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms, a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon and be moved by filling in the shuttle, a member mounted on and movable relatively to the feeler when the same has entered the shuttle a predetermined amount, mechanism, including two knife-edge members, adapted to effect filling replenishment, the operation of said mechanism being caused by the passage of one of said knifeedge members over a predetermined side of the other member, and means to automatically separate said members should the edges thereof impinge directly.

24. In filling-exhaustion-indicating mechanism for looms, a feeler adapted to intermittingly impinge upon and be moved by filling in the shuttle, a member mounted on and movable relatively to the feeler when the same has entered the shuttle a predetermined amount, and mechanism, including two knifeedge members, adapted to effect filling replenishment, the operation of said mechanism being caused by the passage of one knife-edge member over a predetermined side of the other member.

25. in a loom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, controlling means therefor, including a latch, and a vibrating actuator, combined with feeler means to intermittingly engage and be moved by filling in the shuttle ICC I TO

hausted, a movable transmitter, a vieldingly acting dog to maintain the rocking member in normal position, and means movable with the feeler to act through said dog and move the transmitter when the dog yields by or through abnormal movement of the rocking member, combined with mqzhanism operated by movement of the transmitter.

In testimony Whereoi I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub- 5 scribing Witnesses.

' EVERETT S. WOOD.

Vitnesses:

GEORGE OTIs DRAPER, ERNEST XV. TOOD. 

